Chulalongkorn Memorial Day

BANGKOK Thais will enjoy a public holiday, Thursday, to commemorate the passing of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V (1 October 1868 to 23 October 1910).
Known officially as King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day, this year is the 104th anniversary of his death.
The King is credited with saving Thailand (then known as Siam) from the grasp of British and French colonial rulers during the heyday of European imperialism in Southeast Asia.
inside no 5But Bangkok residents should also remember him as the king who introduced the first electric lights that aptly reflected his lifelong commitment to improve the lives of Thai citizens at the turn of the century.
On the wider tapestry of change, he introduced the first major reforms to government, modernising communications including building the country’s first railways.
He demonstrated shrewd diplomacy to keep foreign colonials at bay, although he had to concede territory, both to the east, west and south of the country to keep the country free from foreign aggression.
The country was surrounded by the colonies of Britain (Malaysia, Myanmar) in the west and south and those of France (Laos and Cambodia) to the east. Both the French and British grabbed huge swathes of Thailand’s territory in the Northeast and South Thailand through gunboat diplomacy and sabre rattling..
The title “Great” was bestowed on the king, but he was often described by historians as the “Father of Modern Thailand” for his role in introducing the first educational system for citizens, other than for nobles, leading the country towards the path of democracy and ending the practice of slavery without bloodshed or revolt. It was a time of fiscal reform and vast improvements and modernisation of the military, police and government institutions.
In remembrance of one of the most-revered kings in Thai history, Thai people from all walks of life gather at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok throughout the day and evening to pay homage to King Chulalongkorn the Great by laying flowers around his equestrian statue.
King Chulalongkorn’s full name was Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua. King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day is celebrated nationwide.

sourced:ttrweekly.com